Free It Dreams in Me by Kathleen O’Neal Gear Page B

people alive. But …” He took a deep breath, and seemed to be struggling with what he wished to say next. “I want your permission to go home.”
    A soft murmur of voices filled the chamber as people leaned sideways to whisper to each other.
    Rockfish continued, “As you know, I have dispatched many search parties trying to find my wife. None has found even a trace of her. It grieves me to say this, but I have been forced to conclude that Sora is dead.”
    Birch straightened, and her head tottered on the wrinkled stem of her neck. “You are a valued member of the Black Falcon Nation, Rockfish. I ask you to stay. If you go, we will miss you.”
    “I appreciate your words, Matron, but I am tired. I want to go home and try to Heal my heart.”
    Blessed gods, what Sora had given Rockfish in prestige he’d given back to her—to the entire Black Falcon Nation—in Trade goods! Every moon another flotilla of canoes appeared, filled to overflowing with rare cherts and mica, silver nuggets, pounded sheets of copper. What would happen if he left?
    Sea Grass said, “I hope this will not dissolve the beneficial Trading relationship we have established with your people, Rockfish.”
    He shook his head, and a lock of gray hair fell over his forehead.
“It will not, Matron. I assure you that my people value our Trading relationship as much as you do.”
    Wink said, “Rockfish, I realize that the past moon has been difficult for you. As the husband of a missing chieftess, your position here has been precarious. But it’s been difficult for all of us. If you stay, we will do everything in our power to restore your stature in the nation. Tell us what we may do to convince you?”
    He gave her a frail, grateful smile. “You were Sora’s lifelong friend, Wink, and a good friend to me. I thank you for your words, but”—he exhaled hard—“home and family are calling to me.”
    Sea Grass said, “I vote to allow Rockfish to return home to his own people.”
    “As do I,” Birch said.
    Widgeon sighed. “I also vote to allow Rockfish to return home.”
    Long Fin nodded. “I agree.”
    Wink said, “Then you are free to return home, Rockfish. There is only one thing I ask.”
    “Yes?”
    “I fear that the Black Falcon Nation is still vulnerable. If it is not against the laws of your people, I would ask that you leave your three hundred warriors here for a time longer.”
    Sea Grass gave Wink an evaluative look, suspecting she was up to something. But what?
    Rockfish nodded. “Of course, Wink. Is there anything else?”
    “Yes. Remember that you will always be welcome here. Please return as often as you can.”
    Rockfish bowed to the council, but when he rose, he had a curious expression on his elderly face. “I thank you. Now, there is something else I must tell you.”
    Sea Grass’ ears perked up like a hunting dog with a rabbit in
sight. His tone of voice alerted her that he was about to venture into dangerous territory.
    “Go on,” Wink said.
    “My people have already approached me about initiating several new Trading alliances.”
    “That’s none of our concern,” Wink said. “Your people may establish alliances with whomever they wish. Just as the Black Falcon People may.”
    “And do,” Birch added.
    “Yes, I know that we ‘may,’ but I want to be forthright with you that my people wish to establish a trading alliance with the Loon Nation. They—”
    “You wouldn’t!” Sea Grass blurted, and stammered, “That w-would set your people up against ours!”
    Rockfish responded, “I don’t believe it would, Matron. Currently, the Black Falcon Nation has no alliances of any kind with the Loon Nation.”
    “Of course we don’t! They’re animals, and deserve to be treated as such! We—”
    “Matron,” Rockfish interrupted. “The fact that they are animals may be advantageous. Animals often have furs and meat that are useful to another nation. What we want, in fact, is access to their oyster